Wednesday, August 26, 2009

i can already write this post with relief because i finished the project. well... nearly (hey, isn't that how you got a tower of 'to-do's in the first place?). true, but i could actually call it done as-is if i want. and i reserve the right to do so, should i be called to it. here it is, in all its undone glory:

i know you can tell from my clever styling exactly what this is meant to be. you've seen this type of toy everywhere, and nowadays more often than not they are knitted or crocheted. felted or straight up made from felt! play food! mine is crocheted, and i intend to felt it. i may or may not alter the design and make more of the same type.

i've already used this yarn (lamb's pride) for another felted toy (show-and-tell teaser: this one could also be considered play food, but it's not eaten by most people) and it still shows crocheted stitches pretty clearly. i did try knitting a little green pear with a pretty leftover bit of heathery green, but for some reason the shaping was eluding me and i frogged it (another unfinished project done!).

here's another pic of it all sewn up. i stuffed it with leftover wool bits. i've got a bag going of yarns ends and cut up sweater scraps that i've been using for stuffing. it especially rocks for these felted things since it felts too! and you know it took me all of one minute to finish it, right? after i tracked down scissors, needle, and stuffing. (did i mention we just moved? i swear things will soon be more organized).

i would really love to make this type of toy out of recycled materials as well. i think it could be done with sweaters. not that i'm about to embark upon that at this moment. that is another contributing factor to the mountain. so many ideas!

i'm off to install a basket near the washer in which i can place items that need felting. i was wanting to have such a spot in our last place, to encourage my felting prowess, and it is just the thing to inspire me now. the final step in completing this sweetheart. and if you check back, i promise to upload a picture of the felted version down here.

oh yeah, and while i'm at it, i'll wash a diaper load too. then i'll really be on my way to hot water washing felting goodness.

*update* here it is all felted up!:

and thanks to this post, i figured out that i went one whole week between diaper loads! huzzah!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

soooo, what was i saying? crafting? oh, yes. i'm still doing that! though i will admit that my 'unfinished project' basket items may outnumber my 'show-and-tell' stash. i'm building momentum to get back at it again and really get business started for by hand at home. (will also be at http://byhandathome.etsy.com).

my amazingly talented friend lanz is helping me to design a logo. i am working on a business plan and making stuff! but for now, in the interest of getting back at it, i thought i would start posting here. i've got to get our picture system down so i will be able to get photos up myself (marc was helping me last time), but my goal is to *at least* begin posting a few times a week. thus, i thought i would begin by sharing an unfinished project once weekly and see how far that takes me. then, by posting it, i will also be expressing my intent to finish said project. now that could be tricky.

more lofty goals to follow. tomorrow i'll post a tiny project that i am sure can be finished in a snap. maybe i'll even finish it now so i can get a jump on these wild aspirations. and speaking of snaps - anybody have a spare snap press lying around?